SOUND POLLUTION

SOUND POLLUTION


The unit by which the loudness is measured is called a decibel. According to the United Nations (UN), the normal tolerance limit of sound is 45 decibels. When the vibration of sound is at a tolerable, pleasant level, it is simply called sound. But when it is sharp and harsh to the ears it becomes noise. Serious harm can be caused to people if they regularly exposed to sounds exceeding 70 decibels. Because of the growth of urban population and the increasing use of machines in our every day life there had been a general increase in the level of sound around us. On an average, people in the cities are exposed to sound ranging from 30 to 90 decibels or even more. A study in Japan has found that housewives who live in the city were exposed to almost the same amount of sound that a factory worker was exposed to at his/her workplace. The occupations that the study found to be the noisiest were factory work, truck driving and primary school teaching.

Many developed countries are trying to control sound pollution by careful town planning and developing public awareness. In Holland, schools are not allowed near airport and houses which are situated near airports are provided with special types of insulation to limit the sound heard inside the buildings.